Citation Nr: 21007623
Decision Date: 02/10/21	Archive Date: 02/10/21

DOCKET NO. 15-25 565
DATE: February 10, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served in the Marine Corps from April 1973 to April 1977. 

In September 2019, the Board denied the Veteran’s claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran appealed the decision to the CAVC which, in September 2020, vacated the decision and remanded it for further development. See Tucker v. West, 11Vet.App. 369, 374 (1998) (remand is appropriate “where the record is otherwise inadequate”).

1. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

2. Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

During the Veteran’s June 2010 VA examination, the examiner opined that Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were less likely than not caused by or a result of his in-service noise exposure.  In support of this opinion, the examiner stated that a review of Veteran’s service medical record reveals no significant threshold shift when comparing audiometric thresholds obtained on enlistment physical to those obtained on separation physical.  Hearing was normal in both ears at time of enlistment and separation; therefore, it is unlikely current hearing loss is related to noise exposure in service.  In regard to tinnitus, the examiner stated there is no documentation of tinnitus in the Veteran’s service medical record nor is there a record of a tinnitus condition existing since leaving service.  Additionally, the examiner stated there is also no audiometric threshold shift while on active duty to support claim of tinnitus related to service.  

However, the Veteran’s service treatment records reflect in-service threshold shifts in November 1973, August 1974, March 1976, and July 1976.  Further, the examiner did not address the Veteran’s lay statements regarding continuity since service.  

Therefore, the Board finds the examination to be inadequate and remands for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology and causes, as well as the Veteran’s statements regarding symptoms of continuity of hearing loss and tinnitus since service.

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, to include his in-service threshold shifts of hearing loss.  

 

In providing this opinion, the examiner is asked to discuss the Veteran’s numerous tonal threshold testing results during service, as well as his assertion at his separation examination that he experienced hearing loss.  

 

 

B.T. KNOPE

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Vample, Erica